According to the official website of Oxford dictionaries, criminal justice system is the system of law enforcement that is directly associated with prosecuting, sentencing, apprehending, punishing, and defending those individuals who are convicted or suspected of criminal offenses. There are several careers with a criminal justice degree than an individual may be able to pursue. Several of these careers may have additional academic or training requirements.
The careers with a criminal justice degree that an individual may be able to pursue include:
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Airport Security Officer
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Attorney
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Border Patrol Agent
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Criminologist
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Sheriff
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Legal Assistant or Paralegal
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Police and Detective
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Post-secondary Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher
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Correctional Officer
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Warden
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FBI Agent
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Media Criminologist
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Drug Enforcement Agent
Legal Assistant or Paralegal
Legal assistants and paralegals assist attorneys and lawyers in investigating a case, conduct research to support arguments of a case, and assist lawyers by preparing reports and helping them prepare for a case. To become a paralegal, students typically earn an associate's degree, but employers may hire college graduates with knowledge in a technical field such as criminal justice. Some important skills that an individual may need to work in this capacity include:
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Communications skills
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Interpersonal skills
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Research skills
Police and Detectives
Police officers enforce laws and detectives investigate cases. In order to become a police officer, you must be at least twenty-one years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. A criminal justice degree may assist you in career advancement in law enforcement. Important skills that a police officer or a detective needs to help them work efficiently in this field include:
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Good judgment
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Physical stamina
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Perceptiveness
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Physical strength
People with a college degree, specifically in criminal justice, may have better job prospects than others.
Correctional Officers
Correctional officers are charged with the duty to oversee criminals that have been sentenced to jail or are awaiting court trial. Some federal agencies require correctional officers to have a college degree such as a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Necessary skills that a correctional officer must develop in order to perform his or her duties effectively include self-discipline, negotiating skills, and resourcefulness.
Post-secondary Teachers
You may also be able to pursue a career in the field of academia as a post-secondary teacher, but you may need to acquire a master's degree or a doctoral degree in criminal justice. Important skills that could help become an effective teacher include critical thinking skills, writing skills, and communication skills.